HRH Premier receives senior officials, press personnel

Manama, Nov. 3 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has affirmed that the Bahraini national press has succeeded in appealing to the Bahraini people and reflected the existing reality faithfully, noting that it has become the voice of the citizens and supported, through its positive role, the government's approach to fulfill the citizens' needs and aspirations. HRH Premier lauded the kingdom's press community, writers and intellectuals. He affirmed that despite the diversity of ideas and visions in the kingdom, all citizens agree on the common goal of safeguarding the interests of the nation and its progress, which he appreciates and is proud of, he said. HRH Premier made the statements as he received at the Gudaibiya Palace today a number of senior state officials, columnists, traders, academics and citizens, in the presence of the Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain Dr. Abdul Malik bin Abdulla Al Sheikh and the UAE Ambassador Abdul Ridha Abdulla Khoury. HRH the Prime Minister lauded Bahraini youth's role and ambitions that stimulate them to double efforts for the sake of enhancing the nation's progress, calling on Bahraini youngsters to pay more attention to preserving their national history and documenting it so as to be able to build on the existing achievements. He also called on columnists and writers to record and archive what they write for the coming generations, given its importance in enlightening the public opinion in the present and even in the future. HRH Premier reviewed with the audience domestic and regional issues, stressing the need for concerted national efforts to ensure that the kingdom always remains secure and stable. He pointed out that strengthening the pillars of security and stability is among the top priorities of government, being the basis on which development and progress are built. "Therefore, we will not allow anyone to tamper with our security and stability, and whoever seeks to distract us from carrying on our interest in bringing about more development and progress will find a foothold among us," he explained. He stressed that the events that the kingdom had gone through and its success to overcome them and emerge stronger should be a lesson for whoever trying to turn the clock back, expressing regret over attempts being made by some sides to exploit Bahrain's openness, democracy and freedom of opinion to cause harm to the interests of their own nation. HRH the Prime Minister then expressed great delight over visiting Saudi Arabia and meeting the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the gracious welcome accorded to him, which, he said, reflects the specificity of the distinguished Bahraini-Saudi relations. He affirmed that his visit builds on the solid ties founded by the ancestors and forefathers, praising the honourable supportive stances of Saudi Arabia, praying to Allah the Almighty to guide the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the right path and grant every success in safeguarding the Arab Nation and confronting attempts to undermine its stability. HRH the Prime Minister praised the advanced level of the existing cooperation among countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stressing the need for union among GCC states in order to strengthen such cooperation.